Seat module for a mining vehicle

ABSTRACT

A mining shuttle car that trams on underground roadways includes a conveyor system and an operator&#39;s compartment adjacent to the conveyor system. The operator&#39;s compartment includes a rotatable seat and a control station. The operator&#39;s seat module is coupled to one or more joysticks that control the car, and the operator&#39;s seat module and the control station are mounted on a rotatable platform so as to be rotatable as a unit between a plurality of secured positions for operating the mining shuttle car. Forward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point in front of the seat, and rearward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point behind the seat. Forward and rearward movement of one of the joysticks steers the mining shuttle car in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of the rotational position of the seat.

BACKGROUND

It is common in underground mining to use shuttle cars that tram onunderground roadways. The underground roadways are typically limited inwidth, and there can be insufficient space for the shuttle cars to turnaround. Thus, the shuttle cars tram forward when proceeding in onedirection along a roadway, and rearward when proceeding in the oppositedirection along the road. The role of the shuttle cars is to efficientlyremove the cut material from the working face. To this end, a shuttlecar typically employs a heavy-duty, high-power drive train that enablesit to haul loads in arduous conditions.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a seat module is provided for a mining shuttle carthat includes a loading end, a discharge end, and a conveyor extendingbetween the loading end and the discharge end. The seat module includesan enclosure, a rotatable platform positioned within the enclosure, anda seat supported by the rotatable platform and rotatable therewithbetween a first secured position facing generally toward the loadingend, a second secured position facing generally toward the dischargeend, and at least one secured position between the first and secondpositions.

In other embodiments, a mining shuttle car includes a loading end, adischarge end, and a conveyor system extending between the loading endand the discharge end. A seat module is positioned adjacent the conveyorsystem and includes a rotatable seat. The seat is rotatable between afirst secured position facing generally toward the loading end, a secondsecured position facing generally toward the discharge end, and at leastone secured position between the first and second positions.

In still other embodiments, a method of operating a mining shuttle caris provided and includes rotating a seat to any one of a plurality ofsecured positions, tramming in a first direction and pushing a joystickcontrol away from the seat to turn left and pulling the joystick controltoward the seat to turn right, and tramming in a second directionopposite the first direction and pushing the joystick control away fromthe seat to turn right and pulling the joystick control toward the seatto turn left.

In still further embodiments, a mining shuttle car includes a loadingend, a discharge end, and a conveyor system extending between theloading end and the discharge end. A seat module is positioned adjacentthe conveyor system and includes a seat facing generally toward theconveyor system. The seat includes a joystick control coupled to theseat and operable to steer the mining shuttle car. The mining shuttlecar is configured such that forward movement of the joystick controlrelative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point in front ofthe seat, and rearward movement of the joystick control relative to theseat steers the shuttle car about a point behind the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mining shuttle car that includes anoperator's compartment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the operator's compartment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the operator's compartment of FIG. 1 with acanopy removed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a control station in the operator's compartmentof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an operator's seat module from theoperator's compartment of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the operator's seat module of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a left joystick of the operator's seat moduleof FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a right joystick of the operator's seat moduleof FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a foot-pedal control of the operator'sseat module of FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an operator executing a rightturn when the shuttle car is traveling in the direction of its loadingend.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an operator executing a leftturn when the shuttle car is traveling in the direction of its loadingend.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of an operator executing a leftturn when the shuttle car is traveling in the direction of its dischargeend.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of an operator executing a rightturn when the shuttle car is traveling in the direction of its dischargeend.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangements of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in theabove-described drawings. The invention is capable of other embodimentsand of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it isto be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mining shuttle car 10 generally of thetype used for maneuvering in underground roadways during miningoperations. The mining shuttle car 10 includes an operator's compartmentor cab 12 and a plurality of wheels 14 that support the shuttle car 10on a roadway surface. A cable reel 13 reels in and pays out cable thatconnects to nearby plug-in stations along the underground roadway andsupplies power to the shuttle car 10. The shuttle car 10 defines aloading end 17 where the mined material is loaded, and a discharge end19 where the material is discharged. A central channel 15 includes aconveyor system 18 that extends between the loading and discharge ends17, 19. In the illustrated construction, the operator's compartment 12is positioned adjacent to the conveyor system 18 near the discharge end19 of the shuttle car 10.

In underground mining, the shuttle car 10 is powered through the cable16 and moves or “trams” forwardly and rearwardly along the roadway.During typical operation, the operator maneuvers the car 10 such thatthe loading end 17 is positioned proximate a working face of the mine,where mined material can be loaded onto the conveyor system 18. Oncesufficient material has been loaded, the operator maneuvers shuttle car10 away from the working face to another location, where the loadedmaterial can be discharged via the conveyor system 18. Becauseunderground roadways frequently are very narrow, the shuttle car 10 isdesigned so that it need not turn around. Material can be loaded and/ordischarged from either the loading end 17 or the discharge end 19, andthe shuttle car 10 can tram in either direction.

With reference also to FIGS. 2-3, in one embodiment, the operator'scompartment 12 defines an enclosure that can be entered through eitherof two angled doors 20, 21. The door 20 generally faces toward theloading end 17 and the door 21 generally faces toward the discharge end19. Both doors can be hinged on upright 24. The use of two angled doors20, 21 can allow an operator to enter or exit the cab 12 in eitherdirection or from any seated position. Other embodiments may include asingle door or more than two doors.

The operator's compartment 12 can further include a canopy 22 supportedby the upright 24 and a pair of support posts 25. In some embodiments,the posts 25 are mounted to a side of the shuttle car 10, and theupright 24 mounted to an outside wall of the operator's compartment 12.In some embodiments the height of the canopy 22 can be adjusted to allowthe operator additional headroom. One or more flexible handles 26 can bedisposed on the canopy 22. The operator's compartment 12 also includes arotatable operator's seat module 28, described further below, a controlstation 30, and video monitors 31. In some embodiments, the operator'scompartment 12 can be pre-assembled as a unit. In this way, theoperator's compartment 12 can be installed onto new shuttle cars 10 atfinal assembly, or retrofitted to shuttle cars.

Referring to FIG. 4, the control station 30 can accommodate controls 32and a diagnostics display 34. For example, the controls 32 in someembodiments can include one or more of the following: a head-lightswitch 36 to turn head lights on or off or turn the head lights onautomatically when needed, an earth-leak test button 38, a button 40 togo back on the diagnostics display menu or reset the display, a button42 to select a diagnostics display menu or reset the display, anemergency stop bar 44, a button 46 to move up on the diagnostics displaymenu, a button 48 to move down on the diagnostics display menu, anemergency brake release switch 50 to momentarily release a parking brake(not shown), and a pump switch 52 to start, run, or switch off a pump onthe shuttle car 10. In some embodiments, the park brake release 50 canenergize a solenoid to release one or more parking brakes. The controlstation 30 can also include controls to start up and shut down theshuttle car 10. Although FIG. 4 illustrates the controls 32 arranged ina particular manner, it is to be appreciated that other embodiments mayutilize a different arrangement of controls 32. As a furtheralternative, certain controls illustrated distinctly in FIG. 4 can becombined into a single button or switch. In the illustrated embodiment,the diagnostics display 34 is disposed at the center of the controlstation 30, and a video monitor 31 is positioned adjacent each side ofthe control station 30. Other arrangements of the diagnostics display34, control station 30, and video monitors 31 may also be used.

Referring also to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operator's seat module 28 includesan operator's seat 54 and a pair of foot-pedal controls 56, 57. In theillustrated construction, the left-side foot-pedal control 57 operatesthe brake, and the right-side foot-pedal control 56 operates the drivesystem for tramming the shuttle car 10 in the direction of either theloading end 17 or the discharge end 19. In this regard the pedals 56, 57are arranged in the traditional “gas is on the right, brake is on theleft” configuration. Both the operator's seat 54 and foot-pedal controls56, 57 are mounted on a rotatable platform 58 so as to be rotatable as aunit within the operator's compartment 12. Rotating the seat module 28can be accomplished by means of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, orelectric systems depending upon the capabilities and configuration ofthe shuttle car to which the operator's compartment 12 is attached. Inthe illustrated embodiment, a drum 59 (see FIG. 6) is positioned belowthe platform 58 and can be rotated by, for example, hydraulic,pneumatic, or electrical motors (not shown) drivingly coupled to thedrum 59 by belts and pulleys, gear systems, or combinations thereof.Other embodiments may utilize hydraulic cylinders or other linearactuators coupled to an outer portion of the platform 58 that extend andretract to rotate the platform 58. A release mechanism (not shown) maybe incorporated to allow manual rotation of the platform 58 when poweris not available or if there is a malfunction in any of the componentsthat provide automated rotation of the platform 58.

In some embodiments, the platform 58 can rotate through a total of about120 degrees so that the operator can position the seat 54 generally ineither direction of travel. For example, in the illustrated embodiment,when centered the platform 58 and operator's seat 54 are positioned at asubstantially right angle with respect to the conveyor system 18. Theplatform 58 and operator's seat 54 can then be rotated approximately 60degrees to either side as desired by the operator. Other rotationalpositions are possible depending on the usage requirements orpreferences for the particular shuttle car 10 or particular operator. Insome constructions, there are a substantially infinite number ofrotational positions in which the seat 54 can be secured.

In some embodiments, the operator's seat 54 can include cutouts 55 thataccommodate a self-rescuer or battery pack (generally worn by theoperator), an adjustable headrest 63, an adjustable seat back, a seatbelt, and armrests 65. Right and left side joysticks 60, 61 forcontrolling the shuttle car 10 and the platform 58 are positionedproximate the ends of respective armrests 65. A seat base 67 is coupledto the platform 58 and supports the seat 54. The seat base 67 includesslides, linkages, guides, and the like that allow the operator to adjustthe height and distance of the seat 54 relative to the foot-pedalcontrols 56, 57. The seat base 67 may also be configured to adjust therelative position of the seat 54 with respect to the arm rests 65.

Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 8, the right and left joysticks 60, 61include controls in the form of buttons and switches for operating theshuttle car 10 and the platform 58. In some embodiments, the right-handjoystick 60 can include one or more of the following: a button 62 toactuate the flash or horn, a tram-direction switch 64 for setting thetram direction of the shuttle car 10, and a button 66 for rotating theplatform 58 to the right (e.g., clockwise when viewed from above).Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, the right-hand joystick 60 ismoveable fore and aft in an elongated slot 69 (see FIG. 5) for steeringthe shuttle car 10, as discussed below. In the illustrated construction,the tram-direction switch 64 is a rocker-type switch having right andleft portions, one of which is depressed and thus “active” or “on” atany point in time. Other types of switches may also be used to selectthe direction in which the car 10 will travel.

The left-hand joystick 61 can include a button 68 for rotating theplatform 58 to the left (e.g., counterclockwise when viewed from above),a switch 70 for raising or lowering the conveyor system 18, and a button72 to load or discharge the conveyor 18. In some embodiments, the rightand left joysticks 60, 61 also each include a trigger 71, 73 (see FIG. 6for trigger 73 on the left joystick 61). To reduce the potential forunwanted rotation of the platform 58, for example, when an operator isentering or exiting the operator's compartment, rotation of the platform58 to the right may require the simultaneous pulling of the leftjoystick 61 trigger 73 and pressing of the right joystick 60 button 66.Similarly, rotation of the platform 58 to the left may requiresimultaneous pulling of the right joystick 60 trigger 71 and pressing ofthe left joystick 61 button 68. Generally speaking, when the operator isnot in the process of rotating the seat 54 between various angularpositions, the seat 54 is secured against rotation. Although FIGS. 7 and8 illustrate the joystick controls arranged in a particular manner, itis to be appreciated that other embodiments may include a differentarrangement of controls.

FIG. 9 illustrates the right-side foot-pedal control 56, the left-sidefoot-pedal control 57 being substantially the same. The foot-pedalcontrol 56 includes a bracket assembly 80 coupled to the platform 58 anda pedal 82 pivotally coupled to the bracket assembly 80 by a pin 84. Atorsion spring 74 surrounds the pin 84 and biases the pedal 82 generallyupwardly. Positioning the torsion spring 74 above the platform 58 allowsfor easy serviceability. A pushrod 86 extends through an opening in theplatform 58 and into a foot-switch enclosure 76, which can includesensors, solenoids, and the like for actuating the drive mechanism ofthe shuttle car 10 in response to operation of the pedal 82.

The right joystick 60 is used to steer or turn the shuttle car 10 in amanner intended to be natural and intuitive for the operator. Pushing orpulling the right joystick 60 along the slot 69 between fore, neutral,and aft positions turns the wheels 14 of the shuttle car 10, thusallowing the shuttle car 10 to negotiate corners. Movement of theshuttle car 10 is controlled with a combination of the tram-directionswitch 64, which determines the direction in which the shuttle car 10will travel, and the foot-pedal controls 56, 57 which control the speedat which the shuttle car 10 travels in the direction associated with theposition of the tram-direction switch 64. The operation of thesecontrols is independent of the rotational position of the platform 58.As such, regardless of whether the operator is facing at a right angleto the conveyor 18, generally toward the loading end 17, or generallythe discharge end 19, steering and movement of the shuttle car 10 iscontrolled in the same manner. Although not necessary, operators arefree to rotate the platform 58 such that they are facing generally inthe direction they wish to travel.

Using the shuttle car 10 and operator's compartment 12 configuration inthe drawings as an example, to travel in a straight line with theloading end 17 at the “front” of the shuttle car 10, the joystick 60 ispositioned in the neutral position and the tram-direction switch 64 isoperated to select the loading end 17 as the front of the shuttle car10. In the illustrated construction, this is accomplished by depressingthe right-hand portion of the tram-direction switch 64, which is closestto the loading end 17 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The operator may then depressthe right-foot pedal 56, thus activating the drive mechanism of theshuttle car 10 and moving the shuttle car 10 in the direction of theloading end 17. To travel in the opposite direction (e.g., with thedischarge end 19 as the “front” of the shuttle car 10), the operator canflip the tram-direction switch 64 such that the left portion of theswitch is depressed, and depress the right-foot pedal 56, thusactivating the drive mechanism of the shuttle car 10 and moving theshuttle car in the direction of the discharge end 19. Although thejoysticks 60, 61 and foot-pedal controls 56, 57 are arranged in aparticular manner in some embodiments, it is to be appreciated that, inother embodiments, the arrangement can be different depending on theusage requirements or preferences for the particular shuttle car 10.

With reference to FIGS. 10-13, the right-hand joystick 60 can offer anintuitive control for steering the shuttle car 10. In the illustratedembodiments, by pulling the right-hand joystick 60 rearwardly and towardthe seat/operator, the operator can steer the shuttle car 10 toward thesame side of the underground roadway as the operator is positioned,regardless of which direction the shuttle car 10 is traveling.Similarly, by pushing the right-hand joystick 60 forwardly and away fromthe seat/operator, the operator can steer the shuttle car 10 toward theside of the underground roadway opposite the operator's position.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the shuttle car 10 travels in thedirection of the loading end 17, the operator can pull the right-handjoystick 60 rearwardly to steer the shuttle car 10 to the right. Morespecifically, in the illustrated construction having the cab 12 disposedin the illustrated location near the discharge end 19, the operator canflip the tram-direction switch 64 on the right-hand joystick 60 to theright, pull the right-hand joystick 60 rearwardly, and depress theright-foot pedal 56 to travel in the direction of the loading end 17while executing a turn to the right.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the shuttle car 10 travels in the direction ofthe loading end 17, the operator can push the right-hand joystick 60forwardly to steer the shuttle 10 to the left. More specifically, in theillustrated construction having the cab 12 disposed in the illustratedlocation near the discharge end 19, the operator can flip thetram-direction switch 64 to the right, push the right-hand joystick 60forwardly, and depress the right-foot pedal 56 to travel in thedirection of the loading end 17 while executing a turn to the left.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the shuttle car 10 travels in the direction ofthe discharge end 19, the operator can push the right-hand joystick 60forwardly to steer the shuttle car 10 to the right. More specifically,in the illustrated construction having the cab 12 disposed in theillustrated location near the discharge end 19, the operator can flipthe tram-direction switch 64 to the left, push the right-hand joystick60 forwardly, and depress the right-foot pedal 56 to travel in thedirection of the discharge end 19 while executing a turn to the right.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the shuttle car 10 travels in the direction ofthe discharge end 19, the operator can pull the right-hand joystick 60rearwardly to steer the shuttle car to the left. More specifically, inthe illustrated construction having the cab 12 disposed in theillustrated location near the discharge end 19, the operator can flipthe tram-direction switch 64 to the left, pull the right-hand joystick60 rearwardly, and depress the right-foot pedal 56. Again, by pullingthe right-hand joystick 60 toward the operator, the operator can steerthe shuttle car 10 to the same side of the underground roadway as theoperator is positioned, and by pushing the right-hand joystick 60 awayfrom the operator, the operator can steer the car 10 to the side of theunderground roadway opposite the operator's position.

The above-described method of steering the shuttle car 10 can beintuitive to the operator, because by pulling the joystick 60 toward theoperator, the operator can steer the car 10 to the same side of theunderground roadway as to where the cab 12 is disposed, regardless ofthe direction the operator is facing or tramming. Similarly, by pushingthe joystick 60 away from the operator, the operator can steer the car10 to the side of the underground roadway opposite to where the cab 12is disposed, regardless of the direction the operator is facing ortramming. Stated slightly differently, when the operator pulls on thejoystick 60, the shuttle car 10 turns generally about a point that isbehind the operator, such that, in the illustrated construction, the cabis positioned to the inside of the resulting turn, and when the operatorpushes on the joystick 60, the shuttle car 10 turns generally about apoint that is in front of the operator, such that, in the illustratedconstruction, the cab is positioned to the outside of the resultingturn, regardless of the direction in which the shuttle car is traveling.

1. A seat module for a mining shuttle car that includes a loading end, adischarge end, and a conveyor extending between the loading end and thedischarge end, the seat module comprising: an enclosure; a rotatableplatform positioned within the enclosure; and a seat supported by therotatable platform and rotatable therewith between a first securedposition facing generally toward the loading end, a second securedposition facing generally toward the discharge end, and at least onesecured position between the first and second positions.
 2. The seatmodule of claim 1, wherein the seat is rotatable with the rotatableplatform between a substantially infinite number of positions betweenthe first and second positions.
 3. The seat module of claim 1, furthercomprising foot controls supported by the rotatable platform androtatable therewith.
 4. The seat module of claim 1, further comprising ajoystick control supported by the rotatable platform and rotatabletherewith, the joystick control operable to steer the mining shuttlecar.
 5. The seat module of claim 4, wherein the joystick control ismoveable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the seat to steer themining shuttle car.
 6. The seat module of claim 4, wherein forwardmovement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttlecar about a point in front of the seat, and rearward movement of thejoystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about apoint behind the seat, regardless of the rotational position of theseat.
 7. The seat module of claim 4, wherein the joystick controlincludes a switch for setting a tramming direction of the mining shuttlecar.
 8. The seat module of claim 1, further comprising a first joystickcontrol and a second joystick control each supported by the rotatableplatform and rotatable therewith, the first joystick control operable tosteer the mining shuttle car and including a switch for setting atramming direction of the mining shuttle car, and the second joystickcontrol including at least one control for operating the conveyor.
 9. Amining shuttle car comprising: a loading end; a discharge end; aconveyor system extending between the loading end and the discharge end;and a seat module positioned adjacent the conveyor system and includinga rotatable seat, the seat being rotatable between a first securedposition facing generally toward the loading end, a second securedposition facing generally toward the discharge end, and at least onesecured position between the first and second positions.
 10. The miningshuttle car of claim 9, further comprising foot controls coupled to theseat and rotatable therewith.
 11. The mining shuttle car of claim 9,further comprising a joystick control coupled to the seat and rotatabletherewith, the joystick control operable to steer the mining shuttlecar.
 12. The mining shuttle car of claim 11, wherein the joystickcontrol is moveable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the seat tosteer the mining shuttle car.
 13. The mining shuttle car of claim 11,wherein forward movement of the joystick control relative to the seatsteers the shuttle car about a point in front of the seat, and rearwardmovement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttlecar about a point behind the seat, regardless of the rotational positionof the seat.
 14. The mining shuttle car of claim 11, wherein the seatmodule is disposed to one side of the mining shuttle car, and whereinpulling the joystick toward the seat while tramming steers the miningshuttle car such that the seat module is positioned to the inside of theresulting turn, and wherein pushing the joystick away from the seatwhile tramming steers the mining shuttle car such that the seat moduleis positioned to the outside of the resulting turn.
 15. The miningshuttle car of claim 9, further comprising a foot control rotatable withthe seat.
 16. A method of operating a mining shuttle car comprising:rotating a seat to any one of a plurality of secured positions; trammingin a first direction and pushing a joystick control away from the seatto turn left and pulling the joystick control toward the seat to turnright; and tramming in a second direction opposite the first directionand pushing the joystick control away from the seat to turn right andpulling the joystick control toward the seat to turn left.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising operating a foot control to tramthe shuttle car in either the first direction or the second direction,the foot control coupled to the seat for rotation therewith.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising selecting whether to tram in thefirst direction or the second direction with a switch mounted to thejoystick control.
 19. A mining shuttle car comprising: a loading end; adischarge end; a conveyor system extending between the loading end andthe discharge end; and a seat module positioned adjacent the conveyorsystem and including a seat facing generally toward the conveyor system,the seat including a joystick control coupled to the seat and operableto steer the mining shuttle car, wherein forward movement of thejoystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about apoint in front of the seat, and wherein rearward movement of thejoystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about apoint behind the seat.
 20. The mining shuttle car of claim 19, whereinthe seat is rotatable between a plurality of secured positions, andwherein forward and rearward movement of the joystick steers the shuttlecar in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of theseat.